Structural nailing member



' June 3, 1947;

C. E. WALLIS ETAL STRUCTURAL NAILING MEMBER 2 Sheets-Sheet l (V29 `(30Filed Dec. 2, 1944 l'nventor WALL /6 June 3, 1947. c. E. wALLls ETAL I YSTRUCTURAL NAILING MEMBER Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2, 1944 PatentedJune 3, 1947 STRUCTURAL NAILmG MEMBER Charles E. Wallis, Wauwatosa, J.Shanley, Grosse.Poi.nte, National Steel Corporation,

Delaware Wis., and James Mich., assignors to a corporation ofApplication December Z, 1944, Serial No. 566,366

13 Claims. (Cl. 189-37) The present invention relates to improvements instructural nailing members formed from sheet metal and more particularlyrelates to such structural members constructed and arranged forreceiving and retaining lnailand nail-like elements for constructionpurposes.

In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of relativelylightweight steel frames u sed for construction purposes. In this typeof framing, structural members cold formed from hot or cold rolled steelstrips are substituted for wood members or the old fashioned hot rolledsteel structural members. Where the structural members are substitutedfor wood, the type of construction usually calls for the nailing offlooring, furring, sheathing and the like tothe structural membersconstituting the frame in order to produce a completed structure. Anever present problem in this type of structure has been the relativeexpense of the metal structural members as compared to the cost of thewooden counterparts so that the problem is mainly one of economics andefficient fabrication of the structural members. The present inventionprovides a form of structural member which is the essence of simplicityrelative to fabrication methods and at the same' time presents therequisite strength with the lightest possible gauge of metal.

It is to be understood that although steel is specifically referredto'herein, any other metal practical and economical under thecircumstances of use will be just as suitable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedstructural member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a relatively rigid andlightweight structural member formed from a single strip of steel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a structuralnailing member of an improved construction including novel nailretaining means.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structuralmember is formed from a single steel strip and includes a web, a flangealong one side of the web, and a nail guiding element parallel with andspaced from the web to form a nailing groove therebetween which bendsthe nail in the plane of the groove. Before bending the strip, series ofnail retaining, relatively small bosses and relatively largeprotuberances are formed in the strip so that after bending the strip toform the structural member, these nail retaining elements project intothe nailing groove. The opposed'relatively large protuberances are spotwelded together to form ture. Relatively small entering perforations areformed in the flange and open into the nailing groove. Y

This structural nailing member has numerous advantages over the nailingmembers of the prior Van integral strucart. The nail retaining bossesand protuberances are formed in the strip before bending and due to thefact that the structuralmember is formed from a single piece of steel.they will register properly with each other in the nailing groove of thefinished article. The entering perforations and the nail guiding bossesare relatively small, numerous and so shaped that a. nail will readilyenter the nailing groove even though the nail is not in perfectalignment therewith. The relatively large protuberances provide goodspot welding construction and are located in that portion of thelnailing groove which is spaced from the flange. The shape and alignmentof these protuberances are such that vthe welding connection is spacedfrom the flange and does not interfere with entry of the nail as is thecase in many of the structural members heretofore suggested. The factthat the upper portion of the nailing groove is held together by theintegrality of the bent strip and that the lower portion of the grooveis held together by the spot welding provides a relatively rigidstructure in which the elements will not be spread apart by anailentering the nailing groove.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will becomemore apparent from lthe following detailed description and theaccompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a, cross sectional view of one form of a structural memberembodying the featuresof the present invention; l

Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of/a steel sheet from which thestructural member of Figure 1 may be formed;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a portion of the structural member of Figure1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged, partial view in section taken' along line 4-4of Figure 5, showing a wooden member nailed to the structural-member ofFigure 1;

.Figure 5 is an enlarged, partial view in section taken along line 5 5of Figure '4 Figure 6 is a partial view in section taken along line 6-6of Figure 4v; and

Figure 7 is a partial view in section showing the construction of aportion 0f the structural member prior to weld g and is taken along line'l-l of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, a structural member I0 is formed from asingle metal sheet or strip Il. In the embodiment shown in the drawings,the metal sheet Il is bent to form a, structural member having anI-shape in cross section. It will be apparent that a T-shape section isincluded in the present invention. Any other structural shape can beemployed within thel limits of the invention defined by the accompanyingclaims.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, Figformed with extended, raisedure 2 shows approximately half of the sheet or strip II which is formedinto the I-beam I8, it being understood that the other half of the sheetII is a reversed duplicate of the portion shown. The sheet II, which maybe either hot or cold rolled steel, has formed therein series ofprotuberances I2 and bosses I3. Each protuberance I2 is formed with araised dimple I4, as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 7. Certainbosses I3 are guide portions I5, the purpose of which will be more fullyhereinafter described in detail. After these bosses and protuberanceshave been formed, the strip is bent along the lines I1, I8, web element2I, a flange 22 along one edge of the web element 2|, and a nail guidingelement 23 spaced from and parallel with the web 2l to form a nailinggroove 24 therewith which extends in a direction parallel to the web 2I.

Bending of the strip Il brings the rows `of bosses I3 opposite eachother and brings the protuberances I2 to positions opposite each otherin the nailing groove 24 asshown. The protuberances I2 are weldedtogether at the dimples I4 to form the spot welds 2l. The excess'metalin the dimple I4 melts down sufficiently so that the opposed faces ofthe protuberances are brought together. The frustro-conical enteringperforatlons or passages IB are formed in the flange 22 after the stripII has been bent and are in line with and open into the nailing groove24. The perforations I6 are relatively small and closely spaced so thata nail will readily enter the nailing groove 24 and are preferablyformedin the flange 22 after the strip II has been bent but may be formed inthe strip II prior to bending as indicated by broken lines in Figure 2,though this tends to form a relatively weak zone along which the stripmay bend during the forming operation. The other half of thesubstantially flat sheet II, not shown, is bent and then spot welded ina similar manner and at the same time to form the other half of theI-beam shown in Figure 1 and like reference numerals have been appliedto the corresponding parts.

To further strengthen the beam Il), the sheet II may be bent to formcorrugations 3l. Other ribs or corrugations may be formed or they may beomitted depending, at least in part, on the thickness of the sheet IIand the stresses which the beam IIl must support.

The opposed series of relatively small bosses I3 are so positioned as tobe opposite each other after the sheet II has been bent to form the I-beam II'I. Each adjacent pair of bosses form a nail guiding passage 25therebetween that is substantially in line with a corresponding one ofthe entering openings I6 so that the opening I6 and its correspondingnail guiding passage 25 will maintain a nail entering the nailing groove24 substantially normal to the flange 22. The series of protuberances I2are also so positioned as to be opposite each other and to extend acrossthe nailing groove 24 of the structural member. Each protuberance I2provides a pair of diverging nail bending walls 28 so that theconvergingnail bending walls 28 of two adjacent protuberances formtherebetween a funnel shaped entrance 29 to a nail receiving passage 30.The funnel-shaped entrance 29 extends across a plurality of the nailguiding passages 25 and the apex of the entrance 2B is suflicientlyblocked by one of the bosses I3 so that a nail cannot enter the nailreceiving passage 30 without rst striking one of the nail bending walls28 of one of the nail clinching abut- IS and so as to form a' mentsfIZ.The nail guide I5 prevents a nail from turning back on-itself afterstriking the nail bendingwall 28 and also prevents a nail from enteringpassage 38 without rst striking one of the nail bending walls 28.

Referring more'particularly to Figures 4 and 6, a board 32 or othermember, may be readily fastened to the structural member I0 by means ofa nail 33. The nailt33 is forced through the board 32 at a point in thesame plane as the series of openings I6 and in a direction substantiallynormal to the flange 22 and through one ofthe entering passages I6 intothe nailing groove 24. The forward extremity 34 of the nail 33 is thenforced through the passage 25 between adjacent bosses. The openings I6are relatively close to each other so that if the nail 33 is startedthrough the board 32 at any point in the plane of the groove 24 and theseries of openings I6, then the nail i0 will readily pass through one ofthe' openings I6 even though the nail II) is not directly in line withany one opening I6. The opening I5 preferably is smaller than nail 33 sothat the wall of the opening I6 grips the nail as do the bosses I3 so asto maintain the nail normal to the plane of the flange 22.

After the forward extremity 34 of the nail 33 has passed through thenail guiding passage 25, it strikes one of the nail bending walls 28 sothat the forward extremity 34 is bent and is then guided into the nailreceiving passage 30 by the nail guide I5 where it is held againstwithdrawal by being in holding engagement with the bottom surface 26 ofthe adjacent nail clinching abutment or protuberance I2. Thus, each twoadja cent protuberances form a pair of upper converging nail bendingwalls 28 therebetween for bending the nail 33 in the plane of the groove24. When the forward extremity 34 of nail 33 is driven into nailinggroove '24, the forward extremity 34 strikes a nail bending wall 28 ofone of the protuberances I2 and is bent into holding engagement with thebottom surface 25 of the adjacent protuberance I2 which holds the nailagainst withdrawal by resistance of the bent nail extremity 34 tostraightening. The two adjacent protuberances I2 coact to both bend theforward extremity 34 and to hold it against withdrawal. The clinchednail 33 is gripped or held in place at three locations, which are (1) atthe nail guiding passage I6, (2) between adjacent vbosses I3 and (p3) bythe adjacent protuberance This construction has numerous advantages. Thebosses I3 and the protuberances I2 are formed in the strip I I before itis bent and after the strip has been bent, these raised portions are inproper alignment and there is little, if any, chance that they will notregister properly. By making the bosses I3 and the perforations small,the nail readily enters the nailing groove and the head end portion ofthe nail does not bend as it may in those structural'members Where entryof the nail into the nailing groove is greatly impeded. By having theprotuberances I2 relatively large, they can be readily spot Weldedtogether without the weld spot extending into the nail passage as wouldbe the case if the protuberances were small. Further, this constructionresults in the formation of a desirable, rigid type of nailing groove 24in that the upper portion of the nailing groove is held together by theintegrality of the member and the lower portion of the groove is heldtogether by the spot welds.

Having described one embodiment of our inv flange, said guide bossesformed vention, it is obvious that various modiiications may be'made inthe structure shown indetail without departing from-the spirit or scopeof our invention except as defined claims. For example, staples may besubstituted for nails 34 and the bosses and protuberances may be formedin the sheet Il after bending instead of before bending and the nailguide I may bey separated from t e corresponding boss i3 or may beomitted. w

We claim:

1. A structural nailing member for-receiving and retainings nails,staples and the like, said structural member comprising a web element; aflange extending along one side of said web element; a nail guidingelement parallel with and 'spaced from said web element to form anailing groove therewith; guide means for maintaining a nail driven intosaid nailing groove normal to said means including a series of nailentering passages in said flange opening into said nailing groove, thewall of each entering passage gripping a nail entering said nailinggroove through the passage, and a series of nail gripping on one of saidelements, each pair of adjacent bosses forming a nail guiding passagesubstantially in line with one of said entering passages; and means forbending the forward extremity oi a nail in the plane of said groove andfor holding the same against withdrawal by resistance of the bent nailextremity to straightenf ing, said last mentioned means including aseries of nail bending and holding protuberances, each adjacent twoprotuberances forming a pair of converging nail bending wallstherebetween and coacting to bend and hold a nail.

2. A structural nailing member for receiving and retaining nails,staples and the like, said structural member comprising a, web element;a flange extending along one side of said web element; a nail guidingelement parallel with and spaced from said web element to form a nailinggroove therewith; guide means for maintaining a nail entering saidnailing groove normal to said ange; and means for bending the forwardextremity of a nail in the plane of the nailing groove and for holdingthe same against Withdrawal, said last mentioned means including aseries of protuberances formed on one of said elements, each twoadjacent protuberances having a. nail receiving passage therebetween andforming a pair of straight converging nail bending walls therebetween,the converging nail bending walls defining a funnel shaped entrance tothe nail receiving passage so that the forward extremity of a naildriven into the nailing groove and into a nail receiving passage willstrike against the nail bending wall of one of the protuberances and bebent in the plane of the groove and into holding engagement with anadjacent protuberance which holds the nail against withdrawal byresistance of the bent nail extremity to straightening.

3. A structural nailing member for receiving and retaining nails,staples and the like, said structural member comprising a web element; aflange extending along one side of said web element; a nail guidingelement parallel with and spaced from said web element to form a nailinggroove therewith; a. series of enteringpassages in said flange openinginto said nailing groove; a series of nail gripping bosses formed on oneof said elements, each adjacent pair of bosses forming a nail guidingpassage therebetween; and means for bending the forward extremity of anail in the plane of the nailing groove and for holding the same againstwithdrawal, said last in the accompanying series oi similar bosses anceseach having a pair of upper diverging nail bending walls and a bottomnail holding wall, each two adjacent protuberances having a nailreceiving passage therebetween and forming a pair oi' converging nailbending walls therebewall of one of the protuberances and be bent intoholding engagement with the bottom wall of an adjacent protuberancewhich holds the nail against withdrawal by resistance of the bent nailextremity to straightening.

4. A structural and retaining nails, staples and the like,

ment; a nail guiding element parallel with and spaced from said webelement to form a nailing groove therewith; guide means for maintainingsaid nailing groove normal to into said nailing groove, the wall of eachentering passage gripping a nail entering said nailing groove throughthe passage, a series of nail grip- Ding bosses formed on said webelement, and a formed on said nail guidseries of bosses beingoppassages; and means extremity of a nail in a plane of said groove andfor holding the same against withdrawal by resistance of the bent nailextremity to straightening, said last mentioned means including a seriesof nail bending and holding protuberances on said web element and asimilar opposite series of protuberances on said nail guiding element,each two opposite pairs of adjacent protuberances forming a pair ofconverging nail bending walls therebetween and coacting to bend and holda nail.

5. A structural nailing member for receiving and retaining nails,staples and the like, said structural member comprising a web element; aflange extending along one side of said web element; a nail guidingelement parallel with and spaced from said web element to form a nailinggroove therewith; guide means for maintaining a nail entering saidnailing groove normal to said flange; and means for bending the forwardextremity of a nail in the plane of the nailing groove same againstwithdrawal, said last mentioned means including a series ofprotuberances formed on one of said elements and a second similarseriesof opposite protuberances formed on the other of said elements, each twoadjacent pairs of opposite protuberances having a nail receiving passagetherebetween andforming a pair of straight, converging nail bendingwalls therebetween, the converging nail bending walls 'defining a funnelshaped entrance to the nail receiving passage so that the forwardextremity of a nail driven into the nailing groove and into a nailreceiving passage will strike the nail bending wall of one pair ofopposite protuberances and be bent in the plane of the groove and intoholding engagement with an adjacent pair of opposite .protuberanceswhich holds the nail against withdrawal by resistance of the bent rmaintaining a nail driven into said nailing groove normal to saidflange, said guide means including a series of nail entering passages insaid ilange opening into said nailing groove. the wall of each enteringpassage gripping a nail entering said nailing groove through thepassage, and a series of nail gripping bosses formed on one of saidelements, each pair of adjacent bosses forming a nail guiding passagesubstantially in line with one of said entering passages; and means forbending the forward extremity of a nail in the plane of said groove andlfor holding the same against withdrawal by resistance of the bent nailextremity to straightening, said last mentioned means including a seriesof nail bending and holding protuberances, each adjacent twoprotuberances forming a pair of converging nail bending wallstherebetween and coacting to bend and hold a nail.

7. A one-piece structural member formed from a single metal sheet forreceiving and retaining nails, staples and-the like, said structuralmember comprising a web element; a flange integral with and extendingalong one edge of said web element; a nail guiding element integral withsaid flange, said nail guiding element being spaced from and parallelwith said web element to form a nailing groove therewith; and means forbending the forward extremity of a nail in the plane of the nailinggroove and for holding the same against withdrawal, said last mentionedmeans including a series of protuberances formed on one of saidelements, each protuberance having a pair of upper diverging nailbending walls and a bottom nail holding wall and each two adjacentprotuberances having a nail receiving passage therebetween and forming apair of straight converging nail bending walls therebetween, theconverging nail bending walls defining a funnel shaped entrance to lthenail receiving passage so that the forward extremity of a nail driveninto the nailing groove and into a n-ail receiving passage will strikeagainst the nail bending wall of one of the protuberances and be bent inthe plane of the groove and into holding engagement with the bottom wallof an adjacent protuberance which holds the nail against Withdrawal byresistance of the bent nail extremity to straightening.

8. A one-piece structural member formed from a single metal sheet forreceiving and retaining nails, staples and the like, said structuralmember comprising a web element; a flange integral with and extendingalong one edge of said web element; a nail guiding element integral withsaid ilange, said nail guiding element being spaced from and parallelwith said web element to form a nailing groove therewith; guide meansfor maintaining a nail driven into sai-d nailing groove normal to saidflange, said guide means including a series of nail entering passages insaid flange opening into said nailing groove, the wall of each enteringpassage gripping a. nail entering said nailing groove through thepassage, and a series of nail gripping bosses formed on one of saidelements, each pair of adjacent bosses forming -a nail guiding passagesubstantially in line with one of said entering passages; and means forbending the forward extremity of a nail in the plane of the nailinggroove and for holding the same against withdrawal, said last mentionedmeans including -a series of protuberances formed on one of saidelements, and each protuberance having a pair of upper diverging nailbending walls and a bottom nail holding wall; each two adjacentprotuberances having a nail receiving passage therebetween and forming apair of straight converging nail bending walls therebetween dening afunnel shaped entrance to the nail receiving passage, the funnel shapedentrance having its apex substantially in line with one of said bossesso that the forward extremity of a nail driven into the nailing grooveand into a nail receiving passage will strike against the nail bendingwall of one of the protuberances and be bent in the plane of the grooveand into holding engagement with the bottom wall of an adiacentprotuberance which holds the nail against withdrawal by resistance ofthe bentnail extremity to straightening.

9. A one-piece structural member formed from a single metal sheet forreceiving and retaining nails, staples and the like, said structuralmember comprising a web element; a flange integral with and extendingalong one edge of said web element; a nail guiding element integral withsaid ange, said nail guiding element being spaced from and parallel withsaid web element to form a nailing groove therewith; a series ofentering passages in said flange opening into said nailing groove; aseries of nail gripping bosses formed on one of said elements, eachadjacent pair of bosses forming a nail guiding passage therebetween; andmeans for bending the forward extremity of a nail in the plane of thenailing groove and for holding the same against'withdrawal, said lastmentioned means including a series of protuberances each having a pairof upper diverging nail bending walls and a bottom nail holding wall,each two adjacent protuberances having a nail receiving passagetherebetween and forming a pair of converging nail bending passagestherebetween defining a funnel shaped entrance to the nail receivingchannel, the funnel shaped entrance extending across a plurality of saidnail guiding passages and having its apex substantially in line with oneof said bosses so that the forward extremity of a nail driven into thenailing groove will strike against the nail bending wall of one of theprotuberances and be bent into holding engagement with the bottom wallof an adjacent protuberance which holds the nail against Withdrawal byresistance of the bent nail extremity to straightening.

10. A one-piece structural member formed from a single metal sheet forreceiving and retaining nails, staples and the like, said structuralmember comprising a web element; a flange integral with and extendingalong one edge of said web element; a nail guiding element integral withsaid flange, said nail guiding element being spaced from and parallelwith said web element to form a nailing groove therewith; a series ofentering passages extending through said flange and opening into saidnailing groove; a series of spaced bosses formed on said web element; asimilar series of spaced bosses formed on said nail guiding element,said two series oi' bosses being opposite each other and each twoopposite pairs of adjacent bosses forming a nail guiding passage in linewith one of said entering passages; and means for bending the forwardextremity of a nail in the plane of the nailing groove and for holdingthe same against withdrawal; said last mentioned means including aseries of protuberances formed on one of said elements and a similaropposite series of protuberances formed on the other one of saidelements, each two adjacent pairs of opposite protuberances having anail receiving passage therebetween and forming a pair of convergingnail 'bending walls therebetween, the converging nail bending Wallsdeiining a funnel shaped entrance to the nail receiving passage so thatthe forward extremity of a nail driven into the nailing groove and intoa nail receiving passage will strike against the nail bending wall ofone ofthe protuberances and be bent in the plane of the groove and intoholding engagement with an adjacent pair of opposite protuberances whichhold the nail against withof each entering passage gripping a nailentering said nailing groove through the passage, and a series of nailgrippingbosses formed on one oi said elements, each pair of adjacentbosses forming.. a nail guiding passage substantially in line with oneof said entering passages; and means for bending the forward extremityofa nail in the plane of the nailing groove and for holding the sameagainst withdrawal, said last mentionedmeans including a series ofprotuberances formed on one of said elements, and each protuberancehaving a pair of upper diverging nail bending walls and ,a bottom nailholding Wall; each two adjacent protuberances having a nail receivingpassage therebetween and forming a pair of straight convergingnaiibending walls therebetween defining a funnel shaped entrance to thedrawal by resistance of the bent nail extremity to straightening.

11. A one-piece structural member formed` from a single metal sheet forreceiving and retaining nails, staples-and the like, said structuralmember comprising a webl element; a flange integral with and extendingalong one edge of said Web element; a nail guiding element integral withsaid fiange, said nail guiding element being spaced from and parallelwith said web element to form a nailing groove therewith; and means forbending the forward'extremity of a nail in the plane oi thenailinggroove and for holding the same against withdrawal, said lastmentioned means including a series of protuberances formed on one ofsaid elements, each protuberance having a pair ofupper diverging nailbending walls and a bottom nail holding wall and each two adjacentAprotuberances having a nail receiving passage therebetween and forminga pair otstraight converging nail bending walls therebetween. theconverging nail bending walls deilning a funnel shaped entrance to thenail receiving passage so that the forward extremity of a nail driveninto the nailing groove and into a nail receiving passage will strikeagainst the nail bending wall oi one of the protuberances and be bent inthe plane of thegroove and into holding engagement with the bottom wallof an adjacent protuberance which holds the nail against withdrawal byresistance of the bent nail extremity to straightening, said lastmentioned means including a nail guide in saidfunnel shaped entrance inline with thenail receiving passage to guide the forward extremity o!the nail into the nail receiving passage. t 12. A one-piece structuralmemberformed from a single metal sheet for receiving and retainingnails, staples and the like, said structural member comprising a webelement; a dange integral with and extending along one edge oi' said webelement; a nail guidingl element integral with said flange. said nailguiding element being spaced iroman'd parallel with said. web element toform a n g groove therewith; guide means for maintainin groove normai'wsaid ilange, including a series of nail en nange opening into saidnailing said guide means Passages in said groove. the wall a nail driveninto said nailing nail receiving passage, the funnel shaped entrancehaving its apex substantially in line with one of said bosses so thatthe forward extremity of a nail driven into the nailing groove and intoa nail receiving passage will strike against the nail bending wall ofone of theprotuberances and be bent in the plane of the groove and intoholding engagement with the bottom wall of an adjacent protuberancewhich holds the nail against withdrawal by resistance of the bent nailextremity to straightening, the boss in alignment with said apex havingan extended guide portion to guide the bent extremity of the nail intothe nail receiving passage. 13. A one-piece structural member formedfrom a single metal sheet for receiving and retaining nails, staples andthe like, said structural member comprising a web element; a iiangeintegral with and extending along one edge of said web element; a nailguiding element integral with said ange, said nail guiding element beingspaced from and parallel with said web element to form a nailing groovetherewith; guide means for maintaining a nail driven into said nailingy.groove normal to said flange, said guide means including a series ofnail entering passages in said iiange opening into said nailing groove,the wall of each entering passage gripping a nail entering said nailinggr ve through the passage, and a series of nail grip ng bosses formed onone of said elements, each pair of adjacent bosses forming anail guidingpassage substantially in line with one of said entering passages; andmeans for bending the forward extremity oi a nail in the plane of saidgroove and for holding the same against withdrawal by resistance of thebent nail extremity to straightening, said last mentioned meansincluding a series o! nail bend, ing and holding protuberances, eachadjacent two protuberances coacting vto bend and hold a REFERENCES crrnnes The following reierencesvare of record in the iile of this patent:

'UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,964,403 Loucks June 26, 1934`Y2,091,875 Oesterling Allg. 31, 1937 2,328,442 Fischer et al. Aug. 31.1943

